convict

[kuhn-vikt, kon-vikt]

verb (used with object)

1. to prove or declare guilty of an offense, especially after a legal trial.

   to convict a prisoner of a felony.

2. to impress with a sense of guilt.

noun

1. a person proved or declared guilty of an offense.

2. a person serving a prison sentence.

adjective

1. Archaic.,  convicted.

convict

verb

1. to pronounce (someone) guilty of an offence

noun

1. a person found guilty of an offence against the law, esp one who is sentenced to imprisonment

2. a person serving a prison sentence

adjective

1. obsolete,  convicted

Other Word Forms

• convictable adjective
• convictible adjective
• convictive adjective
• convictively adverb
• preconvict verb (used with object)
• reconvict verb (used with object)
• unconvicting adjective
• unconvictive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of convict¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb convicten, from Latin convictus, past participle of convincere, equivalent to con- “with, together” + vic-, variant stem of vincere “to overcome” + -tus past participle suffix; Middle English noun convict “(a) convict,” adjective convict “convicted,” past participle of convicten “to convince” (or directly from Latin ); con-, convince

Word History and Origins

Origin of convict¹

C14: from Latin convictus convicted of crime, from convincere to prove guilty, _convince

Example Sentences

The next day, Mr Graham's group's public page, which has thousands of followers, posted Kevin's picture beside that of the other man, a convicted offender, saying they were the same person.

Read more on BBC

He has been testifying as a defendant in his trial since last December while Israel has been at war, and hasn’t been convicted.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

However, Israel's High Court of Justice has previously ruled that the president could pardon an individual before they are convicted if it is in the public interest or if there are extreme personal circumstances.

Read more on BBC

He added that he was yet to see anyone convicted for the crimes at his store.

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He was convicted by a New York jury two years later.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• captive 
• felon 
• prisoner